People who don’t understand that myths are not to be taken literally, but nonetheless exist to express truths that everyday language is too limited, too narrow, too precise to convey, are like people who would dismiss Shakespeare’s King Lear on the grounds that, according to the chronicles of Geoffrey of Monmouth, the historical Leir (as he was known prior to Shakespeare), fled to France, and with the help of Cordelia and her husband, overthrew his other daughters and sons-in-law, and was restored to the throne.
